Mazda to phase in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

By Cameron Kirby, 01 Aug 2018Car News

Smartphone mirroring will become a standard feature across Mazda’s product range progressively, starting in the coming months

Smartphone mirroring technology will progressively become standard across Mazda’s range in Australia as its product range is updated.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allow a driver’s smartphone to be mirrored to the vehicle’s infotainment screen, are not currently compatible with Mazda’s MZD Connect system.

The only vehicle in Mazda’s range currently sold with smartphone mirroring tech is the BT-50 dual-cab trade ute, which is fitted with a third-party branded head unit.

WhichCar understands that Mazda products fitted with smartphone mirroring as standard will start arriving in showrooms before Q4 this year; however the tech will be added progressively across the range.

This means that not every car will be sold with the smartphone mirroring, instead only gaining the feature as standard once a mid-life update or new generation is introduced locally.

A Mazda spokesperson told WhichCar that existing customers who desperately want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will have the option of having the systems fitted to their cars retroactively.

The retrofit will require both a hardware and software change, which means the work will be completed by a Mazda dealership. The spokesperson added Mazda Australia is currently working through the costs associated with the instillation.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become new must-have standard features for many manufacturers, with the systems giving customers the ability to use their own audio streaming services and map apps through the car’s inbuilt screen.